Uchiha Ju watched as Uchiha Itachi led Uchiha Sasuke away into the distance. She sighed. She did not know why, but she just wanted to oppose this little kid.
She also did not know if Brother Itachi would be angry later, thinking she was a bad girl. She shook her head. She would not think about it. Anyway, she had already done it. At most, she would let the little kid win next time.
She would test the waters tomorrow when Brother Itachi came. With that settled, Uchiha Ju cheered up and sparred with Uchiha Shisui for a while longer. Then, Uchiha Shisui, seeing the time was about right, prepared to end the class.
"Juju, can you go back by yourself?" Uchiha Shisui asked seriously. After all, Uchiha Ju's status was special. Her safety was paramount.
Uchiha Ju nodded. "It's fine. Brother Shisui, Konoha is very safe." Uchiha Ju smiled. Uchiha Shisui nodded. "Alright then. I will go first." As he spoke, he pointed in the direction of his home.
Uchiha Ju nodded. "Goodbye, Brother Shisui. See you tomorrow."
Uchiha Shisui waved his hand. "See you tomorrow."
Then he vanished in a puff of smoke. Uchiha Shisui's speed could rank in the top five in Konoha.
Uchiha Ju sighed and turned to walk in the opposite direction. But the moment she turned her head, she felt as if she had bumped into something hard.
"Ouch." Uchiha Ju's hand was grabbed. Her heart tightened. She quickly opened her eyes and found it was Uchiha Itachi.
She was stunned. "Brother Itachi, didn't you just take Sasuke home?"
"Yes, I already took him back." Beads of sweat were faintly visible on Uchiha Itachi's forehead. His tight shirt was slightly transparent from the sweat, and his abdominal muscles were faintly discernible.
"Is it okay for him to be home alone?" Uchiha Ju asked cautiously.
"No, Mom and Dad are also home. He is not alone." Uchiha Itachi said.
"Come on, I will walk you home." Although Uchiha Itachi's breathing was somewhat hurried, his gaze was firm. Uchiha Ju had originally felt a little displeased. Uchiha Itachi only cared for his brother and left her here by herself to go home.
However, she knew how important Uchiha Sasuke was to Uchiha Itachi, so she did not cry or make a scene. She felt uncomfortable inside, but she did not say it. Now, Uchiha Itachi, after seeing Sasuke home, immediately came to the academy to find her and wanted to walk her home.
Her heart warmed. The previous unhappiness dissipated like mist. "Okay, Brother Itachi. But before that, squat down." Stars seemed to twinkle in Uchiha Ju's eyes.
Uchiha Itachi's heart missed a beat. He did not know what Uchiha Ju wanted to do, but he complied anyway, squatting on the ground. He was level with Uchiha Ju's clothes. Then, a cool sensation came from the top of his head.
Uchiha Itachi's pupils constricted. What was this?
Uchiha Ju took a wet wipe from her schoolbag and wiped Uchiha Itachi's head and neck. He came in such a hurry and sweated so much. It must be uncomfortable, right?
Uchiha Ju thought. After wiping, she said, "You can get up now, Brother Itachi."
Uchiha Itachi stood up. He wanted to say something but stopped. Uchiha Ju smiled. "It's a wet wipe. Brother Itachi came in such a hurry, and his head and neck were so sweaty. I thought wiping it would feel good."
Uchiha Ju's words struck Uchiha Itachi's heart directly. Juju is so gentle, so considerate. I really want to... His heart suddenly lurched. His expression changed. "What on earth am I thinking." Uchiha Itachi mentally slapped himself. After calming his emotions, he stood up.
"It feels much better. Thank you, Juju." Uchiha Itachi smiled.
Uchiha Ju chuckled, then extended her fair, jade-like hand. "Here. Let's go."
Uchiha Itachi dismissed the thoughts in his mind and took Ju's hand. "Let's go."
At the same time, he thought, 'If it's just brother and sister, holding hands should be fine, right.' The two walked together towards the Hokage's residence. Along the way, Uchiha Ju kept humming a song.
Uchiha Ju's voice was very pleasant. Perhaps she inherited it from Uchiha Ryun. After all, the song "Blue Bird" from the full moon banquet was still ranked number one on the Konoha song charts with undiminished popularity. It had even become a must-sing song at Konoha's karaoke bars.
Though others' singing was still far inferior to Uchiha Ryun's.
On the road, one hummed a song, and the other remained silent. If one ignored their ages, from their appearance alone, the two resembled a couple.
"Um, Brother Itachi, is Sasuke okay... What I said earlier..." Uchiha Ju suddenly stopped. Her face carried a hint of dejection. If her earlier words had made Brother Itachi angry, then she was willing to apologize for them.
"He is fine. What Juju said was all true. There is nothing to apologize for." Uchiha Itachi turned to look at Uchiha Ju. His large hand stroked Uchiha Ju's hair, a smile in the corners of his eyes.
Uchiha Ju breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Brother Itachi was not angry with her because of Sasuke. She patted her chest.
"On the contrary, I should apologize to you on Sasuke's behalf. That kid has been spoiled at home." Uchiha Itachi said.
Uchiha Ju shook her head. "No, no. He is just young and doesn't understand things yet. No need to apologize."
"He is only one year younger than you. Don't make excuses for him. Not understanding is not understanding." Uchiha Itachi snorted.
"Brother Itachi, I didn't take this matter to heart. Okay, don't think about it anymore. We're almost home. I should go back now." Uchiha Ju smiled, then hopped home like a sprite.
Tsunade happened to come out at that moment. Seeing Uchiha Ju walking towards the house, she smiled and opened her arms. Uchiha Ju called out, "Mommy. I'm back." Then, like a swallow returning to its nest, she threw herself into Tsunade's embrace.
"Aiya, my good daughter. How was today? What did you learn?" Tsunade smiled radiantly, holding her daughter and kissing her forehead.
Uchiha Ju began recounting the knowledge and combat training she learned at school today. However, she omitted the part about Sasuke.
"You said Itachi walked you back. Where is he?" Tsunade put her daughter down. Uchiha Ju stood properly and turned, pointing to the spot where Uchiha Itachi had been standing. She found no one there.
"Huh? He was just standing there a moment ago." Uchiha Ju was somewhat surprised. Tsunade, however, seemed thoughtful. "Perhaps he had something to attend to and went back to deal with it. Come in quickly, Juju. Time for dinner."
"Okay." Uchiha Ju didn't dwell on it. Perhaps it was just as Tsunade said, he was busy.
Hokage's Office
Uchiha Ryun sat in the main seat with his legs crossed, looking at the Cloud Village envoy kneeling before him without speaking. Nara Luming spoke first. "Envoy, are you saying the Fourth Raikage, A, wishes to invite our Hokage to attend his succession ceremony?"
"That is correct, Vice Hokage. That is Lord A's intention." The Cloud Village envoy replied.
Uchiha Ryun glanced at Nara Luming. Nara Luming understood instantly. "Did you invite only our Hokage, or have you invited the other Kage as well?"
"In reply, Lord A has already dispatched envoys to the other three nations, inviting them all to attend the succession ceremony, including Iwagakure." The Cloud Village envoy replied calmly.
Uchiha Ryun fell into silence. Originally, if the other Kage were not invited, he planned to send someone else to represent him. But now that the Fourth Raikage had invited all the Kage, he had no choice but to go himself.
"Go back and tell your Raikage I will attend personally." Uchiha Ryun said after clarifying.
The Cloud Village envoy's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Hokage." After saying this, he prepared to stand up and return to his village. However, Uchiha Ryun spoke again. "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Give me a copy of the guest list, the ceremony schedule, and the staff information for this event. Otherwise, I will not go."
The Cloud Village envoy looked troubled. None of those things were within his authority to decide. How could he agree on the spot. So he said, "Please wait a moment, Hokage. I am feeling a bit unwell."
Uchiha Ryun nodded understandingly and waved his hand. The Cloud Village envoy, as if granted amnesty, walked towards the door. After asking the Hokage Building guards where the restroom was, he hurried towards it.
Entering the restroom and locking the door, he took out his phone and dialed a number.
Ring ring ring
The call connected. A voice came from the other side. "Hello. Is it done?"
"Lord Raikage, it is done, but also not done." The envoy was troubled.
"What do you mean? Done is done, not done is not done. What is this 'done but not done'?" A, the soon-to-be Fourth Raikage, frowned.
"The Hokage says he wants the list of invited guests, the ceremony schedule, and staff information. Otherwise, he will not come." The Cloud Village envoy repeated Uchiha Ryun's exact words.
The Fourth Raikage was silent for a moment. He took a deep breath. "Fine. I will give you the information now. Remember it well." His voice came through.
The Cloud Village envoy took out a small notebook and a pen and began to record. After finishing, the envoy added, "Rest assured, Lord Raikage. I will definitely complete the mission."
"Hm." The Fourth Raikage A grunted and hung up the phone.
The Cloud Village envoy wore a smile on his face. Holding the notebook, he planned to relay these messages to Uchiha Ryun. What he did not know was that Uchiha Ryun had already seen everything he wrote through surveillance.
This restroom was specifically designed for envoys from other countries to gather firsthand information. The guards knew this, which is why they directed him here.
The envoy, filled with confidence, walked out of the restroom. Then, with his head held high and chest puffed out, he walked towards Uchiha Ryun's office. Seeing this, Uchiha Ryun turned off his computer. "Everyone, be prepared. Don't show any signs."
Nara Luming and Hatake Sakumo exchanged a glance. They nodded, indicating they would keep it secret.
Creak The door was pushed open. Uchiha Ryun's expression was indifferent, as if nothing had happened. Seeing the envoy, he even said, "Ah, the Cloud Village envoy has returned. That took quite a while."
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